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DIY Forum >> Electrical Questions >> Can an Isolator switch be moved on a consumer unit
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Message started by Minniemouse8793 on Aug 28th, 2016, 8:36pm

Title: Can an Isolator switch be moved on a consumer unit
Post by Minniemouse8793 on Aug 28th, 2016, 8:36pm

Hi, I just bought a house with a consumer unit which works fine but the isolator switch has been moved to the opposite side. It would have originally been on the right and has been moved to the left. It's clearly labeled with stickers etc but there's a molded on/off symbol on the right.

Would this cause a problem during a condition report?
Would it fail a condition report because of this?
Would I need someone to replace the whole thing because of this?

The meter tails are short so even if an electrician moved the isolator back to the right, they would have to replace the tails but in order to do this they would need to contact the electric company as the tails are coming out of a pre-payment meter.

Any help is appreciated!

Title: Re: Can an Isolator switch be moved on a consumer unit
Post by Lectrician on Aug 29th, 2016, 7:57pm

Consumer units are essentially an array of dinrail mounted devices, forming the whole assembly.

While each item in the consumer unit is available as a separate item, and has it's own BSEN etc, a consumer unit as a whole is "type tested" as an assembly, and should be installed as per the instructions.

Mixing MCB manufacturers in a consumer unit often happens (some will fit others etc), but an electrician doing so breaks the "type testing" of the consumer unit.  I would assume that moving internal parts would do the same.

While I do not know of any events of an electrician falling foul of a change to the consumer unit in terms of manufacturer MCB or position of mains switch, altering it does go against the type testing of the item, and as such would not comply with BS7671.

In saying this, I have seen many MANY consumer units with mixed manufacturers, and with relocated internals.

I don't think there is a definitive yes/no.  Sorry  :-/

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